UPPER SAUCON TOWNSHIP — If you've ever tried to turn on your kitchen light while hauling sacks of groceries in both hands, you can appreciate Lutron Electronics' hands-free technology. And the Upper Saucon Township global lighting company is at it again, announcing another integration of its products with a major partner.

Lutron and Google Home have launched hands-free help for consumers to control their home lights. Specifically, it allows homeowners to control the lights via voice commands.

"It's all about taking care of the customers," Lutron's Neil Orchowski said Wednesday. "This helps do that."

Google Home, which debuted last year, is a voice-enabled speaker powered by Google Assistant that allows you to ask a range of questions, stream music and manage everyday tasks. Google Assistant is an intelligent personal assistant that debuted last May.

In a news release, Lutron says homeowners can control Lutron's Caseta Wireless, RadioRA 2 or HomeWorks QS lighting systems using Google Assistant. Lutron said Caseta's integration with Google began Tuesday, while the company's Radio RA and HomeWorks QS systems will be available in June.

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The Caseta system is available at retailers starting at $99 and can be installed by homeowners, Orchowski said. The other products are sold through dealer businesses at various prices and require professional installation, he said.

Google Assistant is also accessible on Pixel, a phone by Google, and select Android phones and Android Wear. The phone controls enable customers to interact with their homes while they are away from their homes.

Lutron has already incorporated its lighting control devices with other companies' technology, including Amazon's Alexa and Apple's Siri. "We have been working to create strategic alliances within the industry, like with Google, to provide enhanced experiences when it comes to lighting controls," said Orchowski, who is product development manager at Lutron.

You can learn more at the voice control systems at the following websites: casetawireless.com/googleassistant, lutron.com/radiora2 or lutron.com/homeworksqs.

With headquarters on Suter Road in Upper Saucon Township, and facilities in 21 countries, privately held Lutron employs about 1,100 people in the Lehigh Valley. The company was founded in 1961 by Ruth Rodale Spira and the late Joel Spira.